The Sideshow was an Australian television programme that was broadcast on ABC TV in 2007. The show was a mixture of stand-up comedy, sketches, live music, circus stunts, cabaret and burlesque. The hour long show was hosted by Paul McDermott. It reused the multiple-stage presentation style of the short-lived ABC show The 10:30 Slot, and remnants of the set of former GNW series The Glass House. The show began its life as a family variety show, airing at 7:30 pm on Saturday evenings. After 10 episodes beginning in April 2007, it took a few months off. Returning in August at the later time of 9:25 pm allowed the show to move from a PG to an M rating, and include a more adult-oriented humour. Similar to other shows produced by GNW TV, it had a cult following, and was regularly watched by 300,000 to 400,000 viewers. The series finale aired on 1 December 2007. The show was shot in a very loose style and it was not uncommon for cameras and crew members to be seen in a shot. All floor cameras and the two Jimmy Jibs had oversized Christmas lights attached to them, and become part of the scenery rather than something never to be seen. The series was created by Ted Robinson and was a GNW TV Production. It was a recreation of a show that Robinson was a part of in the early '90s called the Big Gig and would quite often recycle the stars from that show as "guests". It was pre-recorded in Studio 22 at the ABC's Ultimo studios in Sydney on Thursday nights for air on Saturdays.
Episode 1
Premiere episode of The Sideshow hosted by Paul McDermott. Guests this week included The Fondue Set, The Kransky Sisters, Ed Byrne, Eddie Perfect, That 1 Guy and a performance by Evermore. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston as Flacco, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 2
Host Paul McDermott welcomed performances from comedian Anh Do, the group Sneaky Sound System, sideshow performer Shep Huntly and acrobatic duo The English Gents. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 3
Host Paul McDermott welcomes performances by group Thirsty Merc, sideshow performer Tigerlil and comedians Stephen K. Amos and Tim Minchin. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 4
Paul McDermott is joined by comedians Tommy Dean and The Fondue Set and circus performer The Space Cowboy, with musical performances by The Beautiful Girls and Paul Gray. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 5
Paul McDermott welcomes comedian Tom Rhodes and Circus Oz Performers Mel Fyfe and Christa Hughes as well as musical performances by The Kransky Sisters and Youth Group. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 6
Paul McDermott welcomes to the stage comedian Peter Berner and juggler Joel Salom as well as musical performances by The Kransky Sisters and Dappled Cities Fly. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 7
Paul McDermott welcomes comedians Danny Bhoy and Fiona O’Loughlin and performances from Kid Confucius and jazz legend Dick Hughes and his daughter Christa Hughes (from Circus Oz). Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 8
Paul McDermott welcomes comedian Tom Gleeson and acrobats The Great Gondos and musical performances by The Kransky Sisters and Old Man River. Paul chats with special guest Colin Hay, who performs his new song ‘Are you looking at me?’ and the classic song ‘Down Under’. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 9
Paul McDermott welcomes acts from comedian Eddie Ifft, circus performer Mr Fish and singer Sarah Blasko with the Write Your Adventures Down Band. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 10
Paul McDermott welcomes to the stage Imogen Kelly and Kellie Vella from the La La Parlour, comedian Wil Anderson and musical performances by Expatriate and Genevieve Lemon. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 11
The Sideshow returns from hiatus with host Paul McDermott and regulars Claire Hooper, Tripod, The Umbilical Brothers and Flacco. Guests tonight were Frank Woodley, Dein Perry and The Tap Dogs, The Rabbitohs Drum Squad, Kisschasy and Kitty and Penny Flanagan. From now on the show airs at the new time of 9:25pm.
Episode 12
Paul McDermott welcomes performances from acrobatic act Legs on the Wall, comedians Tim Minchin and Josh Thomas and rock legend Martha Davis. Also appearing were regular guests Claire Hooper, The Umbilical Brothers, Tripod and Paul Livingston.
Episode 13
Paul McDermott welcomes performances from comedy ballet dancers Men in Tutus, singers Kate Miller-Heidke and Ian Moss, as well comedian Arj Barker. Also appearing were regular guests Claire Hooper, The Umbilical Brothers, Tripod and Paul Livingston.
Episode 14
Paul welcomes performances by The Kransky Sisters, Something for Kate and burlesque star Azaria Universe, as well as comedian Justin Hamilton. Also appearing were regular guests Claire Hooper, Tripod, The Umbilical Brothers and Flacco.
Episode 15
Paul welcomes performances by singer Dog Trumpet and professional dancer Bobbi as well as comedians Tim Minchin and Charlie Pickering. Also appearing were regular guests Claire Hooper, Tripod, The Umbilical Brothers and Flacco.
Episode 16
Paul McDermott welcomes to the stage comedian Kitty Flanagan, musical group Watussi and sideshow performer The Space Cowboy. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 17
Paul McDermott welcomes to the stage comedian Tommy Dean, musical acts Tim Rogers and The Cat Empire and a magic act by Matt Hollywood. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 18
Paul McDermott welcomes to the stage comedians Gary Eck and Steve Abbott, singer Sarah Blasko and the Kransky Sisters. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 19
Paul McDermott welcomes to the stage comedians Dave Hughes and Eddie Perfect, circus performer Shep Huntly and singer Clare Bowditch. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 20
Paul McDermott welcomes to the stage comedian Denise Scott and burlesque performer Imogen Kelly. Also appearing were regular guests Claire Hooper, The Umbilical Brothers, Tripod, The Threatening Bears and Paul Livingston.
Episode 21
Paul McDermott welcomes to the stage comedians Tim Minchin, Josh Thomas and Sam Simmons as well as musical performances by The Kransky Sisters and Bluejuice. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 22
Paul McDermott welcomes to the stage comedian Greg Fleet, musicians Operator Please and Paul Capsis and sideshow performer The Space Cowboy. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod, The Threatening Bears and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 23
Paul McDermott welcomes to the stage comedian Frank Woodley, burlesque duo The Wau Wau Sisters and musical act The Hands. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 24
Paul McDermott welcomes to the stage comedians Jackie Loeb and Sam Bowring as well as performances by Butterfingers and La La Parlour. Also appearing were regular guests Paul Livingston, Claire Hooper, Tripod and The Umbilical Brothers.
Episode 25
Paul McDermott returns with regulars Claire Hooper, The Umbilical Brothers, Tripod and Paul Livingston.
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